There are a couple of arranged marriages where someone else arranges it for you, and you don’t have a choice. Also, there’s the marriage of convenience, where the two characters realize it is mutually beneficial for them to marry because of property laws and family inheritance. They both have something the other one wants.
Arranged marriages mostly happen in Asia because Asians are mostly religious and superstitious. Love, marriage, or living relationship is still taboo here. But in Western culture, this is very common. So, culture and country-wise marriage vary.
Books about arranged marriages explore the complexities, challenges, and sometimes unexpected outcomes of marriages organized by parties other than those getting married for cultural, social, or economic reasons. These stories span various genres, including romance, drama, historical fiction, and even contemporary issues.
In these books, the arranged marriage is a central plot point, as a backdrop for exploring themes like love, duty, family expectations, cultural clashes, and personal growth. The characters initially resist or struggle with the arrangement, but the story evolves to show how they face and possibly find happiness within these constraints.
In historical fiction, arranged marriages are used to explore the social and political dynamics of the time, showing how these unions were used to secure alliances, wealth, or social standing. Contemporary stories examine arranged marriages in modern settings, exploring how traditional practices intersect with modern values and lifestyles.
Authors of such books aim to provide a nuanced portrayal of arranged marriage, avoiding stereotypes and presenting these relationships in all their complexity. Some famous examples of books that deal with the theme of arranged marriage include “A Suitable Boy” by Vikram Seth, “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, and “Arranged Marriage” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.
15 Books About Arranged Marriage
In romance, arranged marriage is one of the exciting and popular tropes. Romance readers feel thrilling while reading this trope because we see the mind game between two people or couples. Depending on the mutual connection, the couple falls in love or hates each other after marriage.
Reading about arranged marriages can prompt you to reflect on your views and experiences regarding relationships, love, and marriage. It encourages introspection about personal freedom, choice, and societal expectations. I will talk about 15 books about arranged marriages that give you excitement, suspense, action, and emotions. They offer a rich exploration of human emotions, conflicts, and resolutions, which can be engaging and thought-provoking. Let’s read!
| Name | Storyline | Tropes |
|---|---|---|
| A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught | A historical romance novel centered around the tumultuous and passionate love story between a strong-willed Scottish beauty and a powerful English lord during the medieval era. | Enemies-to-lovers, abduction, noble captive, arranged marriage, cultural clash, strong heroine, alpha hero, historical setting, family feud, personal transformation, power dynamics, societal expectations, forbidden love, redemption arc, castle setting. |
| The Bride Test by Helen Hoang | A contemporary romance novel about the journey of self-discovery and love between a Vietnamese immigrant and an American man with autism, challenging societal norms and personal boundaries. | Cross-cultural romance, arranged marriage setup, neurodiversity representation, immigrant experience, emotional growth, unconventional love story, family involvement, overcoming personal obstacles, societal expectations, character-driven narrative, fish-out-of-water, self-acceptance, love and vulnerability, mental health awareness, rich-poor dynamic. |
| The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson | A fantasy romance novel exploring themes of destiny and self-discovery, centered on a princess who flees an arranged marriage and becomes entangled with an assassin sent to kill her and a prince destined to be her betrothed. | Arranged marriage escape, royal intrigue, identity mystery, love triangle, strong female lead, hidden identities, fantasy world, political intrigue, assassin character, prince character, self-discovery journey, rebellion against societal norms, romantic tension, secret agendas, power struggles. |
| The Wild Heir by Karina Halle | A contemporary royal romance novel centered on a Norwegian crown prince known for his wild lifestyle who enters into a marriage of convenience with a commoner, leading to unexpected love and personal transformation. | Royal romance, bad boy prince, marriage of convenience, commoner and royalty dynamic, scandal and reputation, personal growth, opposites attract, emotional healing, public scrutiny, family expectations, cultural differences, political intrigue, forbidden romance, character development, modern monarchy setting. |
| The Marriage Contract by Katee Robert | A thrilling romantic suspense novel revolving around an arranged marriage within a mafia setting, where power, loyalty, and unexpected love are intensely intertwined. | Mafia romance, arranged marriage, criminal underworld, family loyalty, power dynamics, suspense and intrigue, forbidden love, strong female lead, alpha male hero, moral ambiguity, danger and protection, family feud, secrets and betrayals, enemies-to-lovers, personal transformation. |
| Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin | A fantasy novel blending witchcraft and romance, focused on the forced marriage between a witch hiding her identity and a witch hunter, set in a world where magic is feared and pursued. | Forced marriage, witches and witchcraft, witch hunter, enemies-to-lovers, hidden identity, fantasy world, magic and power, forbidden love, religious and cultural conflict, strong female protagonist, moral ambiguity, societal persecution, romance and betrayal, power struggle, secrets and revelations. |
| Talon by Carian Cole | A young woman recovering from a traumatic past finds love and healing with a tattoo artist, exploring themes of redemption, emotional healing, and the transformative power of love. | Damaged heroine, tattoo artist hero, age gap, emotional healing, trauma and recovery, protective hero, slow burn romance, brother’s best friend, small-town setting, complex characters, redemption arc, overcoming past, deep emotional connection, artistic expression, personal growth. |
| A Worthy Opponent by Katee Robert | An intense and complicated relationship between a feisty art gallery owner and a notorious crime boss, set against a backdrop of danger and desire. | Crime boss romance, strong female lead, power dynamics, forbidden love, art and crime world fusion, dominant hero, sexual tension, protective alpha male, dangerous attraction, moral complexity, erotic romance, enemies-to-lovers, risk and reward, emotional vulnerability, control and surrender. |
| Bound by Hatred by Cora Reilly | A tumultuous and passionate relationship between a woman forced into marriage with a powerful mafia boss, highlighting themes of power, loyalty, and forbidden love. | Mafia romance, forced marriage, enemies-to-lovers, alpha male, strong female protagonist, power struggle, dark romance, loyalty and betrayal, family dynamics, forbidden love, revenge plot, emotional conflict, criminal underworld, sexual tension, personal transformation. |
| The Initiation by Nikki Sloane | An erotic romance novel centered on a young woman’s seductive and challenging journey through a secret society’s sexual initiation process, where she discovers desire, power, and boundaries. | Secret society, erotic initiation, power play, sexual exploration, forbidden romance, dominance and submission, wealthy elite, personal transformation, moral ambiguity, strong female lead, intense sexual dynamics, high stakes, seduction and control, taboo themes, self-discovery. |
| Confess by A. Zavarelli | A dark romance thriller that focuses on the intense and complicated relationship between a woman with a troubled past and a mysterious man entangled in the criminal underworld, set against a backdrop of secrets, danger, and redemption. | Dark romance, criminal underworld, mysterious hero, troubled past, secrets and confessions, danger and suspense, psychological complexity, redemption arc, intense attraction, power dynamics, emotional trauma, protective hero, moral ambiguity, forbidden love, identity discovery. |
| Marriage for One by Ella Maise | A fake marriage arrangement that gradually evolves into genuine love and connection between a reserved businessman and a spirited young woman, exploring themes of trust, vulnerability, and unexpected romance. | Marriage of convenience, slow burn romance, fake relationship, grumpy hero, independent heroine, emotional growth, trust and vulnerability, personal transformation, character-driven narrative, mutual support, heartwarming romance, overcoming obstacles, secrets and revelations, modern urban setting, gradual love development. |
| Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas | A historical romance set in Victorian England, focusing on a shy, wealthy heiress who makes a daring proposal to a notorious rake, leading to a marriage of convenience filled with passion, transformation, and unexpected love. | Marriage of convenience, rake and heiress, transformation of characters, Victorian setting, opposites attract, historical romance, redemption arc, societal expectations, personal growth, mutual respect, emotional depth, love and vulnerability, forbidden attraction, character development, power dynamics. |
| Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas | A historical romance novel set in the Victorian era, focusing on the passionate and tumultuous relationship between a wealthy self-made businessman and a gentle aristocratic lady, exploring themes of class differences, determination, and true love. | Self-made hero, aristocratic heroine, class differences, Victorian era, strong-willed characters, societal norms, passionate romance, power dynamics, cultural clash, emotional healing, business and pleasure, personal integrity, love against odds, family expectations, redemption and acceptance. |
| When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare | A lighthearted and charming historical romance novel set in the Regency era, revolving around a young woman’s imaginary Scottish fiancé who unexpectedly turns out to be real, leading to a delightful mix of romance, humor, and self-discovery. | Imaginary lover becomes real, Scottish hero, regency romance, forced marriage scenario, humor and romance, strong female lead, soldier hero, letter correspondence, cultural differences, societal expectations, personal growth, whimsical plot, heartwarming interactions, secret past, character-driven story. |
1. A Kingdom of Dreams (Westmoreland Saga)
This book is about a girl named Jennifer and a guy named Royce. They are from warring families and countries. Jennifer is Scottish, and her family and homelands are under threat by the British. Royce gets in trouble for a few things, and Jennifer’s in trouble for a few things. At one point, he captures her and finds out that she has to marry him, and things don’t go well for them. For a while, this one was tough to read.
This is not a historical rom-com romance. Jennifer is so strong and brave, and she’s living in a time where nobody gives a crap. She’s also very young and has been maligned by her older half-brother, who has made her look foolish. Then she gets married to an Englishman, which makes her not high up in their eyes. Also, she is desperate to help her clan and her family.
Jennifer would do anything for her family, including marrying someone she thinks wants to hurt her. He’s angry, but he wouldn’t do that. It’s one of those that happened a lot in historical romances. They would threaten abuse. But this was such a beautiful story. The way it ended was I cried. But Jennifer has a kingdom of dreams in mind, and Royce will find a way to give it to her.
Author: Judith McNaught
Average Rating: 4.6/5
Category: Scottish Historical Romance
Available: Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Mass Market Paperback | Pocket Book
2. The Bride Test (The Kiss Quotient)
This one is a mix of the marriage of convenience and arranged marriage. The story is about Chi, who has autism, and his mother is trying to find him a wife. So she goes back to Vietnam and finds Esme, a single mother who is down on her luck. She’s a hotel maid, and Chi’s mother brings her back and asks her to seduce her son and marry him by the end of the summer.
It shows a beautiful relationship blooming. She knows someone who doesn’t know they can love learning what love is. Although this one is still a choice about the marriage, the purpose of her getting brought there is to marry Chi. On several lists, I’ve seen it as an arranged marriage, but it is still a slow burn.
Author: Helen Hoang
Average Rating: 4.4/5
Category: Multicultural & Interracial Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Audio CD
3. The Kiss of Deception (The Remnant Chronicles)
The story follows a girl named Lia. This one starts with an arranged marriage between Lia and the prince of another country. Further, it’s about her running away from that, which is a pretty rash decision and not the brightest idea she’s ever had. But she will take her destiny into her own hands and run away.
The prince that she ditches wants to find out why she ran away. There’s also an assassin being sent by a neighboring country who’s supposed to find her and eliminate her, so this marriage can’t happen. Both men are sent after her, and it isn’t until about 70 percent into the novel. Lia is my top protagonist ever. She is so brave and smart. She realizes that she’s the only one who can save her country.
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Science Fiction & Dystopian Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle
4. The Wild Heir (Nordic Royals)
That series has an age gap in it. It has enemies to lovers and second chance romance. This one is about one of the princes of the Nordic countries who has been living a playboy lifestyle, and he has to marry a princess from one of the other countries. Also, she’s only willing to do it if he can prove that he’ll be faithful.
So they meet each other knowing that they’re supposed to get married soon, but they are building their relationship together. It’s a little bit like a Princess Diary vibe. You get to see the arranged marriage and the romance they made gradually.
Author: Karina Halle
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Family Saga Fiction, College Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Audio CD
5. The Marriage Contract (The O’Malleys)
This book is about a modern-day arranged marriage, but that one’s still a marriage of convenience for the couple. It so happens that they do like each other. So this is about two different mob families trying to ally. Their two oldest children have to get married, and instead of the normal, this is an enemy to lovers. These two want to make a good go of it.
So, even though their families want them to be more suspicious of each other. They start dating before getting married, and they want it to succeed. There’s a huge cliffhanger for the next entry in the series. At the time, it had to do with the kidnapping. So you get to see suspense and thrilling moments as well as romance.
Author: Katee Robert
Average Rating: 4.2/5
Category: Women’s Domestic Life Fiction
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Mass Market Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD
6. Serpent & Dove
This book is about a witch (Louise) in a fantasy version of revolutionary Paris. She is accused of witchcraft, but she is run by other witches trying to kill her. So when she’s in a situation where she’s offered either to marry this witch hunter and live a good life or die, Louise chooses to marry the witch hunter because she’s living in a church, and the witches will not come here. But she is planning to escape as soon as she can. The only thing she didn’t count on is the husband she gets is so sexy and amazing.
It’s usually used in very flowery, vague terms. These people are married in chapter four of the book, and it’s about hate to love this forced marriage and how it ends up being something good later on. The witch hunter wasn’t planning to have a wife, even though some would take a wife, and he was forced to take one. But he was never planning, and he loved somebody else. Now, he’s married to Louise, whom he considers evil until he gets to know her.
Author: Shelby Mahurin
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Fairy Tale & Folklore Adaptations, Dystopian Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | MP3 CD
7. Talon (Ashes & Embers)
Talon’s mom is a psychologist, and she’s doing this experiment where she sets the couples up with each other, and they get married. Then, they would live together for six months, but it was a compatibility setup. So, she had them answer all of these questions. Then, she gave them different tasks.
If they stay married for a certain amount of time, they each get paid out, and talents start doing it for a payout. Talon is a rock star. He doesn’t need that, but Asia also needs the payout, as she’s looking for someone to love. It’s a slow burn for them getting married because they didn’t immediately jump into bed with each other.
Author: Carian Cole
Average Rating: 4.7/5
Category: Contemporary Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD
8. A Worthy Opponent (Wicked Villains)
In this book, we have Tink, who had sold herself into a working contract with Hades for the last couple of years to escape her abusive boyfriend, Peter Pan. The way this world is run is mob-ish. Villains and different fairytale characters run different territories.
So the Disney villains made sexual. Tink is getting kicked out of the otherworld because Hades has looked for her, given her a job, and helped free her. She is one of the sassiest of misses you will ever find. Hades kicked Peter Pan out of their territory, but now Peter is back. Tink is vulnerable, and Peter is very manipulative and abusive to her. It’s going to be coming back to get her. So Hook proposes to take control of this territory and keep it safe from Peter, but Tink has to marry him.
Author: Katee Robert
Average Rating: 4.6/5
Category: Romantic Suspense
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle
9. Bound by Hatred (Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles)
This is about Matteo and Gianna. Gianna’s been on the run from her family for six months because she doesn’t want to be a part of the mob anymore. So, she’s on the run and is supposed to marry Matteo, and she does not want to arrange a marriage with the villain. They’ve had a sparky relationship in the other two books.
Matteo has been sent to find her, and it’s double-edged. He made this arrangement of their marriage happen because he wanted her. Also, the family believes that he’ll be the most brutal with her and will punish her for running away and embarrassing them.
So Matteo knows he must find her before anyone else because he loves her. He also doesn’t want one of the other families to find her. It’s extra passionate because they know their sexual chemistry. Gianna is attracted to him, and he continually tries to prove to her how much he cares while still trying to be the man.
Author: Cora Reilly
Average Rating: 4.4/5
Category: Erotic Fiction
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle
10. The Initiation (Filthy Rich Americans)
This book is about a girl (Marist) sold to another family. This series is called Filthy Rich Americans, and she is being sold into a relationship with another family by Royce Hale. The whole thing with this is that this isn’t business or the mob. But this is in business, and the father of her future father-in-law has a thing for her. He wants her to marry his son because he wants her under his roof.
There’s a beautiful relationship between the couple in this book, but it has many lies and secrets. Also, it’s a series with a lot of dirty dealing. It is very sexy, almost erotic, but also suspenseful. But I feel they become a team in this arranged marriage because they have chemistry.
Author: Nikki Sloane
Average Rating: 4.2/5
Category: Family Saga Fiction
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle
11. Confess (Sin City Salvation)
Gypsy Blue is a confidence trickster. She has been making money for her and her sister by getting men to love her, catching them, doing something wrong, and taking all their money. But she gets caught, and she gets gifted differently. It is also an age-gap romance. Lucian West is a lawyer. He’s come from the rough side of the tracks and likes to care for people. But he’s also a daddy.
Lucian coerces Gypsy into marrying him, and he says, You’re going to stay married to me for a year. At the end of this, she’ll get a settlement and start your life over. But she doesn’t want to do this. But she doesn’t have a choice. So, this one is a little twisted because she’s not willingly entering into this. You’ll see how this man uses its elements to help this person. But it’s not a consensual idea, some relationship because she doesn’t agree to that part of it. Some fun, sexy ones happen. But there are some suspense elements in this one as well.
Author: A. Zavarelli
Average Rating: 4.4/5
Category: Women’s Fiction, College Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle
12. Marriage for One
This is another arranged marriage and marriage of convenience book where Rose has a coffee shop. She wanted to put up, and she’s in some financial trouble. Jack is the lawyer. He agrees to marry her to keep the deed to this place. Then they’re planning to be married for a certain amount of time. But Jack can’t do it because he wants to help with everything.
Jack is getting married, and he wants to become a partner in his firm, and having a wife will help him do that. But this one has some other fun tropes. Somehow, Rose gets sick, and Jack takes care of her. Also, he shows up at her coffee shop and helps her build things. Slowly, they fall for each other, and it’s so cute.
Author: Ella Maise
Average Rating: 4.3/5
Category: Romantic Comedy
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD
13. Devil in Winter (Wallflowers)
This is a marriage of convenience that makes me burn. Sebastian is the devil. If you read the series in order, you will hate this guy and understand why he is the devil because he has kidnapped someone. He would assault someone because he’s desperate to get married. Evie is shy and sweet, but she’s in trouble. Her father runs a gambling den, and he’s very sick. He’s dying, and Evie’s family keeps her away from her father. This family has abused her.
Evie knows that Sebastian is desperate enough for her family’s money, another reason they try to control who she’s with and who she marries. So she goes to Sebastian, gives him money, and proposes to marry him. They consummate the marriage to make it legal. Then Sebastian goes about changing every perspective you have of him.
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Average Rating: 4.6/5
Category: Regency Romances
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Mass Market Paperback
14. Marrying Winterborne (The Ravenels)
We have Rhys Winterbourne, who has seen the same situation as Sebastian Saint Vincent. We see him not only talk about the assault but he does assault Helen’s sister-in-law. He has been previously engaged to Helen, and Helen is a bit of a wallflower. She’s very quiet and easily pushed over, but she liked Rhys. Rhys owns department stores all over the place. He is uber-rich and fell for Helen when she nursed him back to health in the first book, and he wanted to marry her.
Helen was feeling overwhelmed by him. So that’s the thing that happened with Kate. Rhys assaults Kate. Helen sneaks into his home at the department store, and she comes to see him. It was planned because she had felt this great connection with him. Then, he wanted to sweep her away with the money. That’s what he wanted to do: throw money at it so he would feel worthy because he is not a duke.
So this is almost a second chance situation, but they weren’t their true selves the first time they caught it. I love it when they get a second chance in here.
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Average Rating: 4.6/5
Category: Victorian Historical Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Mass Market Paperback
15. When a Scot Ties the Knot (Castles Ever After)
The story follows Madeline Gracechurch, who makes up a pen pal, a Scottish man named Captain MacKenzie. She made everything up, and she wrote letters to him for years. Then, she pretended to break up with him to make her family think she was in love. But it didn’t work out. So they would leave her alone and not make her have a season or talk to people because she’s super shy.
Captain MacKenzie received these letters from this woman because she was sending them. He fell in love with her through these letters. So he returns with his group of men whose lands have been taken over. Madeline has been gifted a castle because that happens to all the women in the castle, even after a series.
MacKenzie coerces her into marrying him because he needs the money for his lands and people, who came back to nothing after fighting for England. They had everything taken from them. So this is another case of a problematic hero who wants an arranged marriage to save his people.
Author: Tessa Dare
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Scottish Historical Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Mass Market Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD
5 forced arranged marriage novels read online free
“The Love That Passed”: This story follows the life of a character struggling with the challenges of an arranged marriage and financial constraints.
“Emilia”: Emilia Peyton, a strong and influential woman, is forced into marrying the richest man in the country, leading to a tale of revenge, mystery, and potential love.
“Mrs./Ms.Kanaze: Failed Dream = College & Arrange Marriage”: Kanaze Deporezu faces an arranged marriage set by her parents since birth, following her failure to achieve her dream in the entertainment industry.
“Striving Muslimah”: This narrative follows Zyva Mohammad and Aarib Ibrahim, Aarib, a billionaire, marries Zyva forcefully, setting off a story filled with family drama and emotional upheavals.
“The Arranged Marriage 2”: Zarah, a wealthy lady, is shocked by her father’s sudden decision to arrange her marriage with a business tycoon, leading to a story of romance and character dynamics.
“Walking To Our Forever!”: This story revolves around Aarohi Basu and Advaith Abhiraj Singh Khurana, who are in a sudden marriage under unexpected circumstances, each dealing with their emotional turmoil and past relationships.
5 romance books about arranged marriage
“A Suitable Boy” by Vikram Seth: Set in post-independence India, this novel follows the story of Lata and her mother’s quest to find a suitable husband. It covers the intricacies of arranged marriages in a changing society.
“The Bride Test” by Helen Hoang: This contemporary romance novel involves a young Vietnamese woman who is allowed to come to America and meet a potential husband. The story drives cultural differences, personal growth, and the discovery of love.
“To Have and to Hoax” by Martha Waters: In this regency romance, a young couple enters into an arranged marriage that quickly turns sour. Years later, they engage in hoaxes and misunderstandings, rekindling their relationship.
“The Kiss Quotient” by Helen Hoang: Another novel by Helen Hoang tells the story of a woman with Asperger’s who hires a male escort to teach her about relationships. It’s a unique take on arranged relationships, blending modern romance with deeper emotional themes.
“When Dimple Met Rishi” by Sandhya Menon: This young adult novel features two Indian-American teenagers whose parents have arranged for them to be married. It’s a heartwarming story about navigating cultural expectations, personal dreams, and the unexpected path of love.
5 non fiction books about arranged marriage
Non-fiction books about arranged marriages offer real-life insights and personal narratives that explore this complex topic’s cultural, social, and emotional aspects. Here are five notable non-fiction books on arranged marriages:
“Arranged Marriage: Stories” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni: This collection of short stories explores the experiences of women in arranged marriages, touching on themes of cultural conflict, personal identity, and the balance between tradition and modernity.
“Unarranged Marriage” by Bali Rai: This book tells the story of a British-Indian teenager struggling with his family’s expectations and the prospect of an arranged marriage. It provides a look into the cultural conflicts faced by young people in diaspora communities.
“Marriage of a Thousand Lies” by S.J. Sindu: This book offers a perspective on arranged marriage within the LGBTQ+ community. It’s about a young woman in a marriage of convenience with a gay man struggling with her identity and familial expectations.
“The Good Girls: An Ordinary Killing” by Sonia Faleiro: This investigative book is about the lives of two teenage girls in rural India, their mysterious deaths, and the societal and familial pressures surrounding arranged marriages in their community.
“Love in a Headscarf” by Shelina Zahra Janmohamed: This memoir recounts the author’s experiences with arranged marriage in a modern Muslim context. It’s a personal journey through faith, love, and self-discovery, offering an insightful look into contemporary arranged marriages.
5 fiction books about arranged marriage
Fiction books about arranged marriages explore the dynamics of love, tradition, and personal choice within the framework of these unions. Here are five fiction books that delve into the theme of arranged marriage:
“A Suitable Boy” by Vikram Seth: This epic novel set in post-partition India follows the story of Lata, whose mother is determined to find her a suitable husband. The book offers a rich tapestry of Indian society and the complexities of arranged marriages.
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: This classic novel discusses marriage, societal expectations, and personal choice in early 19th century England.
“The Namesake” by Jhumpa Lahiri: This novel explores the life of Gogol Ganguli, the American-born son of Indian immigrants, and his struggle with cultural identity. His parents’ arranged marriage and its impact on family dynamics are central themes.
“An American Marriage” by Tayari Jones: This novel presents a contemporary take on arranged marriages, exploring the relationship of a young African-American couple and how their life is turned upside down by wrongful imprisonment and societal pressures.
“The Twentieth Wife” by Indu Sundaresan: This historical novel is set in the Mughal Empire and tells the story of Mehrunnisa, the first wife of Emperor Jahangir. It provides a glimpse into the royal court’s royal customs and the intricate dynamics of arranged marriages.
5 billionaire forced marriage romance novels
“The Marriage Bargain” by Jennifer Probst: This novel tells the story of a billionaire who needs to marry to inherit his family fortune and a woman who needs money to save her family home. They agree to a marriage of convenience, but their relationship evolves into something more.
“The Billionaire’s Unexpected Wife” by Ali Parker: In this story, a billionaire needs a wife to secure his inheritance and enters into a marriage of convenience with a woman who sees it as a business deal, leading to unexpected feelings and challenges.
“Married to the Billionaire” by Ava Claire: This book features a billionaire who arranges a marriage with a woman to please his traditional family, but the relationship turns into a genuine romance, exploring themes of love, trust, and the pressures of societal expectations.
“The Greek’s Forced Bride” by Michelle Reid: This romance novel centers around a billionaire Greek tycoon who coerces the protagonist into marriage. The story unfolds with themes of passion, betrayal, and eventual love.
“Billionaire’s Bride for Revenge” by Michelle Smart: This novel explores a tale of revenge and passion, where a billionaire seeks to avenge his family by marrying his enemy’s daughter. The relationship starts as a means to an end but slowly transforms as they navigate their complex feelings.
5 enemies-to-lovers arranged marriage books
Enemies-to-lovers is a beloved trope in romance literature, and when combined with the concept of arranged marriage, it creates a dynamic and compelling narrative. Here are five books that blend the enemies-to-lovers theme with arranged marriage:
“The Hating Game” by Sally Thorne: This novel features a similar dynamic with two corporate enemies in a constant battle of wits. Their relationship evolves unexpectedly, blending the enemies-to-lovers trope with a competitive workplace setting.
“The Kiss Thief” by L.J. Shen: This story revolves around a young woman whose first kiss is stolen by a notorious senator, leading to an arranged marriage filled with tension, rivalry, and, eventually, passion.
“The Unwanted Wife” by Natasha Anders: The novel explores the relationship between a woman trapped in a loveless marriage and her indifferent husband. As they navigate their tumultuous relationship, they move from enemies to something more.
“To Have and to Hoax” by Martha Waters: In this regency romance, a couple in an arranged marriage lives in a state of mutual animosity. However, a series of hoaxes and misunderstandings reignite their relationship, turning enmity into love.
“Bound by Honor” by Cora Reilly: Set in the world of the Mafia, this novel tells the story of a young woman forced into an arranged marriage with a mafia boss. Initially, they are adversaries, but their relationship evolves into mutual respect and love.
5 books about mafia arranged marriage
“Bound by Honor” by Cora Reilly: This novel is part of the “Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles” series and revolves around a young woman forced into marrying a powerful mafia boss. It explores the dynamics of power, loyalty, and love within the confines of a criminal world.
“Crow” by A. Zavarelli: The first book in the “Boston Underworld” series, it tells the story of a young woman who gets entangled with the Irish mafia. An arranged marriage with the mafia leader becomes the center of a complex narrative involving power, betrayal, and unexpected love.
“Nero” by Sarah Brianne: Part of the “Made Men” series, this novel focuses on a young woman who finds herself caught in the dangerous web of the mafia. An arranged marriage with a mafia member leads to a story filled with intrigue, danger, and romance.
“Ruthless People” by J.J. McAvoy: This book tells the story of the marriage between two powerful mafia heirs. Initially a marriage of convenience to unite their families, it becomes a complex relationship filled with power struggles and passionate romance.
“Sweet Temptation” by Cora Reilly: Another entry in the “Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles,” this novel follows the story of a young woman who is promised to a mafia boss in an arranged marriage. The narrative describes duty, honor, and the transformative power of love in the harsh world of the mafia.
These novels feature crime, drama, and romance, portraying their characters’ turbulent and dangerous lives. The arranged marriages in these stories are typically used as a plot device to explore themes of power, loyalty, family ties, and the unexpected ways love can develop in challenging circumstances.
Through historical fiction or stories set in contemporary times, these books can illuminate how societal and family expectations have shaped and continue to shape personal relationships. This can lead to a deeper understanding of social dynamics and history. Also, they invite you to explore complex themes and diverse perspectives, making them a valuable addition to your reading list.
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